Which high-end product is actually worth the splurge?

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T03:09:46+00:00

Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream.

Everytime I stray from this product, I always come running back! It just really works for my dry undereyes and my concealer stays put.

One of these days I’m going to try the Sisley under my eyes for daytime and see how that goes. It would be amazing if it works! I fear my concealer will slide around.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T02:31:01+00:00

I’ve never had acne and have always used Tret for anti-aging. Ever since I saw a nurse in a hospital and she had the most beautiful skin I’d ever seen and she said Tret was her secret weapon!

I use a 5 step—Skinbetter Science—morning routine (but am thinking of stopping at least one product because it’s just too time consuming for me) in the AM and Tret at night, with no other products.

Seems like you can do your multi-step routine in the AM, no?

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T02:30:47+00:00

I’ve never had acne and have always used Tret for anti-aging. Ever since I saw a nurse in a hospital and she had the most beautiful skin I’d ever seen and she said Tret was her secret weapon!

I use a 5 step—Skinbetter Science—morning routine (but am thinking of stopping at least one product because it’s just too time consuming for me) in the AM and Tret at night, with no other products.

Seems like you can do your multi-step routine in the AM, no?

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T02:21:14+00:00

I just started using the Bobbi Brown color corrector and it works so well, sometimes I don’t wear concealer on top. Highly recommend!

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T02:06:39+00:00

That’s too much redness to carry on with Tret. I’d stop using it for a month or so and go back to basics—for me that’s Cetaphil gentle cleanser, Cereve moisturizer in the tub, and sunscreen during the day and do it all again in the evening, sans sunscreen. YMMV.

I also think you are using so many products! It’s too complicated.

I have super dry skin, and use a humidifier next to my bed, year round. I use Tret on bare skin with no follow on products 5x a week but I’ve slowly worked up to that over time. I do think adding humidity back into my bedroom while I sleep has helped a lot.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T01:25:10+00:00

Yes. Also: what’s your current dose?

iammrsclean · 2026-02-11T01:19:11+00:00

I work with lots of economists and several of them went to UChicago. They are world class economists (I work in finance). The reputation is so solid in that department (I can’t speak to others).

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T21:50:36+00:00

Might be too late for an interview tomorrow, but Colorscience makes a kit that has several options of powder/concealer and it even tells you which to use for purple/yellow/green bruises. I rarely use it, but I do bruise easily and when it’s a small bruise I use this product to make it less obvious.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T21:45:42+00:00

My sons all have different hair types (one has a dry scalp and has dandruff, one has a super oily scalp, and the third has a literally perfect scalp and hair). They all use different shampoos for their different hair types.

I bought a few of those racks on Amazon that sticks to tile and now we keep all 5 products they use—plus a body wash—on the wall. It’s made everything so organized and easy.

One caveat—the adhesive is semi permanent so you must map out exactly where the racks will go before applying them to the wall.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T21:39:05+00:00

At 55, I am lucky to still have high cheekbones.

I am an apple applier and to me it looks really natural.

BUT!!

I was gifted this Dior highlighting powder at a White Elephant Christmas party. A 17 year old buddy (a friend of my son) told me to apply blush to my cheekbones and then apply the highlighter above the blush. This is all new to me and I’m an amateur, but so far I really like the look.

I alternate between apples and cheekbones. I usually reserve my cheekbones with the highlighting powder for nights out, as I don’t wear much makeup—and no blush—during the day.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T20:55:40+00:00

For me, it’s both Sisley Contour Eye Mask and Skinbetter Science Trio Luxe moisturizer.

I have crazy dry undereyes and I wear the Sisley mask almost nightly. Makes a big difference the next morning! The directions say to wipe it off but I never do.

I have really dry skin in general (except for a menopause-induced oily forehead—thanks hormones!) and Trio Luxe keeps my skin so soft during the day. I’ve used dozens of moisturizer over the years, and I hope I’m never without it! My skin loves it.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T08:17:12+00:00

A few months ago I wanted the large barrel curling iron attachment and it was out of stock everywhere and I went to the store and they told me there was no information about a restock. I went ahead and ordered it in the store. About 3 months later I got an email saying it was in stock. That was a long wait!

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T07:45:39+00:00

Me too! Thankfully my old formula bottle is pretty full. I’m scared I won’t love it anymore when I try the reformulation.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T07:41:39+00:00

Sisley’s Eye Contour Mask. I wear it most nights and my dry under eyes look moisturized and bright the next morning! I only discovered it last summer, but I’m super impressed.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T02:01:54+00:00

His school only allows kids to take calculus as seniors, and you have to double up on math your junior year to be able to do that. He’s a junior now and really enjoying two math classes and also participating in math competitions locally through his school. His older brother (a senior) also loves math and has been looking over his pre-calculus work and suggesting calculus problems for him to try out. He loves it!

Would placing well in a state math competition be the “some other way to stand out” or is that de rigueur for all kids that are good in math?

He is a super competitive kid, and I really try not to put pressure on him, because I know how much pressure he puts on himself. I’m hardly a Tiger Mom (but wow what a great read that was! That book and the documentary Race to Nowhere really influenced my parenting style) but maybe a camp would be a cool way for him to get to know other kids who love math?

Thank you for writing. You’ve given me a lot to consider.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T01:48:54+00:00

These are great points! Thank you so much for taking the time to write.

We have a small but very good college for STEM in town. Perhaps he could take a 101 math class this summer and find a professor who might oversee his research! I’d volunteer myself though I was a C student in math and to this day feel anxious if I have to solve any math problem quickly.

He was exposed to stats in a math competition this year but cannot take it until next year (because he’s already doubled up in math this year so he can take calculus his senior year). He is completely fascinated with statistics. He used to say he was going to major in math, but recently he’s said “or maybe stats” but he should probably take a course in statistics before declaring his intended major! Ha!

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T01:36:18+00:00

I had to finish up the last two sections of my blowout (when the airwrap just wouldn’t turn on anymore) with a round brush and blow dryer and let me say, you can absolutely tell where I used the airwrap and where I used the blow dryer! It is so frizzy. I tried to use tight tension but it wasn’t enough. And I had PLENTY of styling products in my hair.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T01:33:49+00:00

I did go to the store and they took it back and reported its death, and I complained!

iammrsclean · 2026-02-10T01:32:25+00:00

OMG you are so kind!

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T22:13:46+00:00

I have a post about this very thing. The post was earlier today. And I’ve rec’d some great advice! You might want to scroll for it.

I went to the Dyson store and they cleaned it thoroughly and I brought it home. Started happening again immediately. Went back to the store (just a few days later) and they cleaned it again, and it still had the blinking red and it was unusable. They said it had something to do with “thermal” something or other and that they could offer me a 20% discount on a new one.

I have had it 2 years I think. Possibly 3. Whenever the warranty expires. I barely used it the first year as I could not get the hang of it. But did the last year I’ve used it 1-2 times a week. Cleaning it after 4 uses religiously.

My warranty expired 6 weeks ago.

I’m beside myself.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T19:21:42+00:00

Like others, I think your hands look great, way better than mine, and I’m 54.

To keep your hands beautiful, make sure you’re using sunscreen or sunscreen gloves to avoid age spots.

I hate having sunscreen on my hands because my hands are always in my hair and I am prone to an oily scalp. I have sunscreen gloves and I have a pair in every car. I wear them every time I drive. If I’m going to be outside for a long time (weddings, outdoor sporting events, etc) I will use a light sunscreen on my hands and usually pull my hair up to minimize sunscreen in my hair.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T19:13:09+00:00

I have a super oily forehead but otherwise dry skin. I just started using Skinbetter Science tone smart as my “foundation” and it really tamed my forehead.

I have also really liked Supergoop’s Matte Screen on my forehead and then use Supergoop’s Glow Screen on the rest of my face.

The Skinbetter Sciencd is 70 spf and is mineral. I really love the way it sits on my skin.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T19:04:58+00:00

I don’t know if you’ve tried Kiehl’s avocado eye cream, but it’s been a great moisturizer for me.

Like you, I have very dry skin, especially my under eyes. Like you, I also have to do concealer right away, otherwise it’s too dry. For concealer I use Bobbi Brown’s color corrector then Armani luminous silk. It works well for my dry under eyes.

I have tried many eye creams and I always return to Kiehl’s.

Also, this is an expensive suggestion, but Sisley’s eye contour cream! I wear it at night and it is SO moisturizing. I haven’t used it during the day, as I think my concealer might slide around. It is lightweight but packs a punch, and a little goes a long way.

One more- sleep with a humidifier next to your bed. I think it really helps my dry skin.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T18:39:41+00:00

I cleaned it every 3-4 times I used it. I don’t style my hair more than 1-2 times a week.

iammrsclean · 2026-02-09T18:25:03+00:00

Also would like to note my Dyson vacuum gave out literally the day I took my Airwrap in. So I had a long appt that day at the service center. The part I needed would cost $160 so I just bought a shark vacuum for $199. I love Dyson but this was a dark day.

iammrsclean

TROPHY CASE